Play Black Onyx 2, The Online in your browser

The game loads when you press Play · press “Play Now” inside the game if it asks.

Black Onyx 2, The

26 plays

About Black Onyx 2, The

MSX 1
RPG
5· 0 votes

The Black Onyx 2 is a dungeon-crawling role-playing game released for the MSX 1, following the original Black Onyx that helped pioneer the Japanese RPG genre. Published in 1984? (exact year not widely confirmed?), it was developed by PSK (Programming Services K.K.?) and remains a relatively obscure title even among MSX enthusiasts. The game retains the tile-based movement and turn-based combat of its predecessor, but with an expanded world and more complex dungeons to explore. It's a straightforward RPG that sticks closely to the formula established by the first game, offering a challenging experience for those willing to brave its maze-like maps and random encounters. You control a party of adventurers moving across a top-down grid-based map. Exploration happens one step at a time, with random battles triggering against slimes, skeletons, and other fantasy monsters. Combat is menu-driven, allowing you to attack, cast spells, use items, or flee. Progression involves grinding levels, upgrading equipment, and finding keys to unlock further areas. There is a town where you can rest and buy supplies, but the core loop is entering a dungeon, fighting monsters, retrieving treasure, and returning to town to heal and save. The interface is entirely in Japanese, which can be a barrier for non-Japanese speakers, but most menu options are iconographic enough to navigate with trial and error. For a modern player, The Black Onyx 2 is a fascinating artifact of early Japanese RPG design. It lacks the polish of later entries like Dragon Quest, but it shows how the genre evolved on the MSX platform. If you enjoy pure, no-frills dungeon crawlers and have patience for old-school menu navigation, it is worth a try. However, be prepared for a steep difficulty curve and a lack of hand-holding. It is a niche title even within the MSX library, but for retro RPG historians, it offers a glimpse at the roots of the genre. Just keep a walkthrough handy if you do not read Japanese, as quest hints are scarce.

GAME INFO

Platform: MSX 1
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
Region: Japan

How to play Black Onyx 2, The online

Getting Started

When you start The Black Onyx 2, you will see a title screen in Japanese. Press Enter or X to proceed to the main menu. Use the arrow keys to navigate the options; the first choice is typically "New Game" (usually the top option). Confirm with X. You will then be prompted to name your character or party. Since the menu text is in Japanese, you can either accept default names or input your own using a virtual keyboard or MSX keyboard mapping (the emulator may support typing on your PC keyboard).

The game begins in a town. Walk around using the arrow keys. Talk to NPCs by pressing S (B button) while facing them - they will give vague clues in Japanese. To exit town, find the dungeon entrance (often a cave or a door at the edge of town). Inside dungeons, movement is tile-based; random encounters trigger frequently. Combat is turn-based: use the arrow keys to select commands, confirm with X, cancel with S. Attack is the first command, magic is second, items third, and flee last. After winning, you earn gold and experience. Return to town when your health is low to rest at an inn (look for a bed icon) and save at a church or save point (usually a cross icon).

If you cannot read Japanese, your best bet is to keep a map of the dungeon and a walkthrough open on another device. The game does not have an automap, so draw your own on paper. Also, be mindful that dying can send you back to town with lost progress, so save often at the church. The core loop is straightforward: explore, fight, level up, buy better equipment, and venture deeper into the dungeon. Patience and persistence are key.

CONTROLS

Controls

Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
X: Trigger 1
S: Trigger 2
Enter: Start

Black Onyx 2, The FAQ

Who developed Black Onyx 2, The?

The developer is not widely documented. The original Black Onyx was created by PSK (Programming Services K.K.), and it is assumed that the same team handled the sequel, but no official credit is widely confirmed.

Is Black Onyx 2, The exclusive to MSX 1 or did it appear on other systems?

The Black Onyx 2 appears to be exclusive to the MSX 1 platform. No ports to other systems have been documented.

What makes Black Onyx 2, The stand out among MSX 1 titles of its era?

It stands out as an early RPG sequel that expanded on the dungeon-crawling formula of the original, offering larger maps and more complex puzzles. For MSX owners, it was one of the few role-playing game experiences available at the time, predating the arrival of more polished console RPGs.